2010 KIA FORTE KOUP — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

17

Owner Complaints

1 Fire

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

17

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP

The 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP has received a total of 17 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. 17 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (6 complaints), Seat Belts (2 complaints), and Air Bags (1 complaint).

Recalls for the 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP, potentially affecting up to 3,967,971 vehicles.

Recall 23V652000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

| 1,730,192 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner...

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Recall 23V652000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

| 1,730,192 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner...

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Recall 18V363000 — AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

| 507,587 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

Consequence: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all...

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Owner Complaints for the 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP

17 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11414806 | ENGINE | | 70 miles
THESE VEHICLES ARE ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS! I'VE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS MY ENTIRE CAREER FOR 15 YEARS WITH A LEVEL CERTIFICATIONS AND ASE'S. I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SIMPLE MATTER OF ANY ACCELERATION OVER 2900 RPM IT STARTS KNOCKING. I WILL NOT PUT MY FAMILY OR MYSELF IN THE DANGER OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. IF SOMETHING WERE TO BREAK WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE RESULTS COULD BE DEVASTATING! I'VE CONTACTED KIA MANY TIMES REGARDING THIS MATTER YET I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT KNOCKING HIS NORMAL THEY CALL IT A PING. I TOLD THEM I USE 91 OCTANE EVERY TIME I FILL SO THERE'S NO WAY OF PINGING FROM PRE DETONATION. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS MAINTAINED AND OIL CHANGES ARE ALWAYS DONE EARLY. AFTER BEING TOLD MANY TIMES THAT THE KIA 2010 IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL I HAVE TAKEN MY OWN ACTION TO FIXING THE PROBLEM. UPON TEARDOWN I HAVE DISCOVERED ROD BEARING DAMAGE AND A OIL PAN FULL OF MINOR FLAKES FROM ROD MATERIAL. DUE TO ME KEEPING RPM SLOW I WILL HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE ROD BEARINGS WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS BUT WHO KNOWS ON THIS MOTOR. I JUST WORRY ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT DRIVE NORMALLY AND COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE A MOTOR FAILURE AND POSSIBLE FIRE FROM A ROD BREAKING THROUGH THE BLOCK. I SURE HOPE KIA DOES SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!
#11414806 | SERVICE BRAKES | | 70 miles
THESE VEHICLES ARE ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS! I'VE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS MY ENTIRE CAREER FOR 15 YEARS WITH A LEVEL CERTIFICATIONS AND ASE'S. I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SIMPLE MATTER OF ANY ACCELERATION OVER 2900 RPM IT STARTS KNOCKING. I WILL NOT PUT MY FAMILY OR MYSELF IN THE DANGER OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. IF SOMETHING WERE TO BREAK WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE RESULTS COULD BE DEVASTATING! I'VE CONTACTED KIA MANY TIMES REGARDING THIS MATTER YET I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT KNOCKING HIS NORMAL THEY CALL IT A PING. I TOLD THEM I USE 91 OCTANE EVERY TIME I FILL SO THERE'S NO WAY OF PINGING FROM PRE DETONATION. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS MAINTAINED AND OIL CHANGES ARE ALWAYS DONE EARLY. AFTER BEING TOLD MANY TIMES THAT THE KIA 2010 IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL I HAVE TAKEN MY OWN ACTION TO FIXING THE PROBLEM. UPON TEARDOWN I HAVE DISCOVERED ROD BEARING DAMAGE AND A OIL PAN FULL OF MINOR FLAKES FROM ROD MATERIAL. DUE TO ME KEEPING RPM SLOW I WILL HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE ROD BEARINGS WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS BUT WHO KNOWS ON THIS MOTOR. I JUST WORRY ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT DRIVE NORMALLY AND COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE A MOTOR FAILURE AND POSSIBLE FIRE FROM A ROD BREAKING THROUGH THE BLOCK. I SURE HOPE KIA DOES SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!
#11205683 | WHEELS | | 125,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 77 IN CHARLOTTE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. WHILE DRIVING, MY WHEEL HAD A STRUCTURAL FAILURE. I RETRACED MY ROUTE AND DO NOT SEE ANYTHING ON THE ROUTE (I.E. MAJOR OBSTACLE). REGARDLESS, THIS FAILURE IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS IN THE PAST AND HAVE RUN OVER SUBSTANTIAL ROAD DEBRIS AND NEVER HAD THE WHEEL ALMOST COME OFF OF THE CAR.
#11165023 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE MOST RECENT RECALL WITH THE AIR BAG FIXED. AFTER THE REPAIR OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED DURING THE REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THE AIR BAG MODULE AND CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE.
#11151192 | ENGINE | | 131,000 miles Fire
I HAD A 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE 5/29/18 WHILE GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES/HR. BEFORE THE FIRE BEGAN, THERE WAS SOME KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE AND ALL POWER WENT OUT, INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POPPED THE HOOD TO SEE FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT IN TIME, AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH THE OIL CHANGES AND HAVING ALL FLUIDS CHECKED AND FILLED AS NEEDED. I HAVE HAD ALL RECALLS DONE AS THEY BECAME AVAILABLE. THE FIRE WAS IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND GAVE NO WARNING BEFORE THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT. ALL WE COULD DO IS EVACUATE THE CAR, GET AS FAR AWAY FROM IT AS POSSIBLE, AND CALL 911. IT WAS DEVOURED WITHIN MINUTES WITH FLAMES, AND IS NOW A COMPLETE LOSS. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA INTERNATIONAL (CASE #12745414) WHO TOLD ME THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED, SO THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM CNA NATIONAL, BUT THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY WEREN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR MECHANICAL ISSUES.

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Safety Rating for the 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP

Kia America, Inc. has issued 17 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

PI2102_OWNR_201 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2102) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2010-2011 MY Kia Forte & Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage....

TSB_ENG070R1_CLS — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TSB_ENG070_R1_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

TSB_BOD057_CLSD — STRUCTURE

TSB_BOD057_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

TSB_BOD049_CLSD — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TSB_BOD049_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

TSB_ENG051R1_CLS — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TSB_ENG051_R1_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

TSB_ENG059_CLSD — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TSB_ENG059_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

TSB_ENG059_CLSD — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TSB_ENG059_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

TSB_ENG058_CLSD — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TSB_ENG058_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

TSB_ENG058_CLSD — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TSB_ENG058_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

TSB_TRA030_CLSD — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TSB_TRA030_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

Showing 10 of 17 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the KIA FORTE KOUP

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Other KIA Models

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